April 2013

Looking at the Future

April 5, 2013 by G. Freireich

Greetings:

Recently, two items have received a great deal of press coverage and public discussion. I would like to take this opportunity to address both items, clarify, and address any misconceptions.

Student Enrollment Projections, Facility Options and Elementary Enrollment Projections and Educational Program Studies

Periodically, the board and administration engage in enrollment projection studies and feasibility studies as part of due diligence to the students, staff and community of the district.

The extensive Pennsylvania Economy League (PEL) Enrollment Projection Study revealed a smaller kindergarten class and whether this is an anomaly or trend has yet to be determined. This report was presented to the Board of School Directors at the January 14 meeting and the report can be accessed on the district website (www.yssd.org) on the meeting agenda. An updated report is due November 2013.

With regard to Facility Options Study, an architectural and engineering firm will be engaged to study all district buildings. This report will develop growth densities with respect to proximity to the existing district schools to determine where classroom resources need to be focused effectively. The report will also provide financial and schematic plans which depict any maintenance, renovations or other options to be considered short and long-term.

The administration will be conducting an internal study related to Elementary Enrollment Projections and Educational Program. Included in this study will be an analysis of each building’s capacity as it relates to the educational programs, legal requirements, class size and each building’s capability to provide the educational spaces dictated by educational programs.

Upon completion of these three studies, the board will engage in discussion to develop short and long-range decisions. No decision has been made with regard to any building and will not be until all data is collected and analyzed. Any and all decisions will be open to staff and community input.

York Recovery Advisory Committee

I am pleased to serve on the York Recovery Advisory Committee to work with the York City School District and the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The Advisory Committee has been presented with five options to address the financial and academic issues of the York City School District. One option that has been getting a lot of press is consolidation with other school districts.

School consolidation in Pennsylvania is a long process and is regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, legislature and other entities. In addition, staff members, community members and board members have the opportunity to provide their input.

The Chief Recovery Officer for the School District of the City of York sent a letter to presidents of local School Boards to discuss ways to collaborate and whether School Boards would engage in discussion regarding collaboration/ consolidation.

In summary, please rest assured in addition to keeping you informed throughout these processes, there will be ample opportunity for input should any changes be proposed.

Please call or email me if you would like to discuss this further. I also invite you to attend the school board meetings as another way of staying informed.

Kathryn L. Orban

Superintendent

Filed Under: April 2013, Feature

Two Named National Merit Finalists

April 5, 2013 by G. Freireich

Two York Suburban High Schools students have been named National Merit Finalists.

York Suburban High School’s National Merit Finalists are Laura Blouse (left) and Margaret Sullivan.

They are:

Laura Blouse, daughter of Alan and Susan Blouse, Springettsbury Township. She will make her college decision soon.

Margaret Sullivan, daughter of Gregory and Rowena Sullivan, Spring Garden Township. She will attend Brown University.

Filed Under: April 2013, Issue Left

MathCounts Competition

April 5, 2013 by G. Freireich

On Saturday, February 16, eight York Suburban Middle School students competed at the Lincoln Chapter of the Regional MathCounts Competition held at Millersville University.

Eighth graders Elizabeth Huh, Madison James, and Megan Hunt and seventh graders, Charlotte Nesbitt, Maya Lehman, Zezette Pflaum, Peyton Stuart and Kaidin Mir-Young represented York Suburban.

The team of Huh, Nesbitt, Lehman, and Mir-Young placed third out of 27 teams from Lancaster, Lebanon, York and Adams Counties.

Results of the individual competition were: Maya Lehman 6^th place, Kaidin Mir-Young 11^th place, and Elizabeth Huh 16^th place.

Approximately 260 students competed in the individual rounds.

Filed Under: April 2013, Issue Right

Graduation Is June 5

April 5, 2013 by G. Freireich

Save the date: The York Suburban High School Class of 2013 will graduate on Wednesday, June 5, at 7 p.m.

Filed Under: April 2013, Issue Left

East York Proves It’s “A Kid’s Life”

April 5, 2013 by G. Freireich

[Show as slideshow]

The third, fourth, and fifth grade students of East York Elementary School presented the musical “A Kid’s Life” at the York Suburban Middle School auditorium on February 28.

In seven scenes, the large cast showed how today’s children could survive without electronic games.

The show was under the direction of Sue Wolschleger and Anne Thompson.

Filed Under: April 2013, Issue Right

Students Win ‘Battle of the Buildings’

April 5, 2013 by G. Freireich

[Show picture list]

The Battle of the Buildings participants.

Saturday, March 23, marked the 5^th bi-annual Battle of the Buildings (BOB) event. For the first time in its history, the students of York Suburban High School claimed the BOB trophy. The Super Seniors and Jammin’ Juniors teams tied to win first place.

Teachers and staff from each building and senior high students competed against each other in various events ranging from the classic tug-of-war to the clothing relay to the balloon soccer finale.

The evening proved to be a fun competition to bring together students, parents, and staff from across the district while benefiting the York Suburban Dollars for Scholars fund. The Dollars for Scholars Board expresses its appreciation to the event’s co-coordinators, Mr. Jamie Evans and Mr. Eric Hoffman; all those who volunteered time and energy participating on a team or behind the scenes, and all the students and families who attended. The 2013 BOB proceeds totaled over $3,000.

The Battle of the Buildings winners: York Suburban High School juniors and seniors.

Filed Under: April 2013, Issue Left

Post Prom a ‘Suburban Stampede’

April 5, 2013 by G. Freireich

“Suburban Stampede 2013” will be the theme for this year’s Post Prom event on Saturday, May 18, for all juniors and seniors and their prom dates.

Juniors and seniors may attend Post Prom even if they don’t attend prom. This York Suburban tradition will again offer food, entertainment, casino games, and prizes in a chaperoned and alcohol/substance free environment.

To donate money or prizes, send to: York Suburban High School 1800 Hollywood Drive York, PA 17403. Adults interested in volunteering for set up on Friday, May 17, or for Post Prom on Saturday, May 18, should email Christine Kates at ckates@comcast.net. While supplies last, T-shirts will be given to volunteers and will be given to students when they purchase tickets.

Parents and students can find more information and the permission slip on the York Suburban website under High School Building and Post Prom. Ticket sales will begin May 6 and continue until May 13 during lunches. All guests need to have their tickets purchased during this time. Juniors and seniors can buy tickets at the door with a signed permission slip.

Filed Under: April 2013, Issue Right

YSHS Art Department Wins $800 Grant

April 5, 2013 by G. Freireich

The York Suburban High School Art Department has received a YCAL grant for $800.

The grant is being used to create an innovative project, in the form of a new course, where art students will run a graphic design/art studio business.

Students will take in jobs from district and community clients, working collaboratively to fulfill a need for art related works. This unique opportunity will provide students with real-world job experiences and exposure to viable career possibilities in both art and business realms.

“YCAL’s mission to facilitate the development of a high quality, relevant workforce will be met through innovative coursework and career awareness. Students will gain exposure to and experience in the following areas: graphic design, illustration, business and marketing, finance, and English and communication,” according to Art Department chair Karen Fornadel.

Students will be trained to run the Design Studio from both an art and business perspective. Students will be taught to build their art business from the ground up including how to market their business. Students will serve as business manager, project managers, and designers. Students will take in clients and develop timelines for the completion of each project.

Filed Under: April 2013, Issue Left

Talent Galore at Indian Rock Variety Show

April 5, 2013 by G. Freireich

[Show as slideshow]

Students from Indian Rock Elementary School presented a 26-act Variety Show at the York Suburban Middle School auditorium on March 8.

Directed by music teacher Ashley Markey, the acts included comedy, music, and dancing. Students served as emcees for the program. One of the acts featured members of the school faculty.

The Indian Rock PTO provided adults to assist with the flow of the evening. PTO president Rhonda Murphy chaired the event.

Filed Under: April 2013, Issue Right

YSMS Students ‘Letting Go’

April 5, 2013 by G. Freireich

Students at York Suburban Middle School set themselves free of hatred, fear, grudges, and frustrations on Monday, April 1.

As part of the school’s PRIDE program, students wrote their fears or frustrations on biodegradable balloons that were then launched from the parking lot of the school to symbolize the letting go of those negative feelings.

The program was entitled “Forgive and Be Forgiven.”